Philly and the Flu

All around the Northeast region there is talk of the flu virus; there's been a surge of admittances into hospitals and doctors' offices of patients infected with the flu. Doctors, like John Russell of Abington Memorial Hospital, concede that it's an epidemic. "There are a ton of people sick right now," he states; however, he doesn't seem to think it's as bad as it could be. At least not yet.

According to physicians, it doesn't seem to be affecting people as harshly as anticipated. However, it did start much earlier on in the season than was originally predicted. Along with other viruses that seem to be circulating in the Philadelphia area – like the rhinovirus and a norovirus that's been fairly prevalent, doctors don't think the worst is over yet. Since it started so early and didn't quite reach the intensity it's capable of, the epidemic might peak this month or next. After all, the number of flu patients has remained consistent.

Avoiding getting sick when you're surrounded by others who are is fairly difficult. In schools and workplaces in an area like Philadelphia, heating and ventilation is a big culprit – rather than fresh air circulating through crowded buildings, we keep the windows shut to keep warm in the winter. Therefore, there's bound to be a higher concentration of your neighbor's germs. As a preventative measure, let fresh air circulate through your home, office, or classroom whenever possible. And, of course, during flu season more than ever, be sure to wipe down commonly touched items, like keyboards, with Lysol wipes. Carry around a personal bottle of hand sanitizer as well – better safe than sorry!

Northeastern Coldfront and Cold Weather Tips

Though the holidays have come and gone, and some of us might not want to believe it, we're now left with winter in full-swing and springtime warmth being the light at the end of the few-months-long tunnel. But just because we – especially in the Northeast – are in a rush to get to spring doesn't mean we should rush to be doing anything else. There are a lot of wintry warnings that come with cold weather, heaters, and precipitation. Unfortunately, there have already been a few news reportings about snow and ice-related automobile crashes, such as the New York man who died when his pickup truck skidded out on ice just a few days after Christmas. It's for that reason that we shouldn't forget to practice extra-careful behaviors in these coming weeks.

·         Make sure your heating systems are in good health. There are plenty of heating companies near Newtown who would be more than willing to come make sure your heating unit and vents are clean to avoid fire hazards and ensure the systems are running as efficiently as possible.

·         Check the weather every day before leaving the house, and leave earlier if necessary – it's important to exercise caution when driving, leave yourself enough time to clear your windows to avoid blind spots, and prepare with proper attire to avoid slipping on ice.

·         If using alternate sources of heating – fire places, electric space heaters, wood stoves – never leave them unattended and be sure to follow the proper courses of action for safety. Always ensure the chimney is clean, never leave a space heater plugged in, only use the recommended types of wood for burning, et cetera.

·         Beware of icicles! Many forget how dangerous they can be, but after a rain or snowfall, the falling of heavy, hanging icicles can actually be deadly.